Montana elk hunting- picking a unit-key things to consider?

[Indian Summer]

No data is better than inaccurate data. They don’t even have game checks in archery. They shut down as it gets dark in gun. It couldn’t be worse really.

 

[E Butler]

Just spent eight days in western Montana with zero success. Due to the drought we could not find elk or even sign that they have even been there. The elk we did see were on big ranches in the valley laying in the fields near the creeks.Game and Fish officer said they were in severe drought conditions now.

 

[tbowers]

Just spent eight days in western Montana with zero success. Due to the drought we could not find elk or even sign that they have even been there. The elk we did see were on big ranches in the valley laying in the fields near the creeks.Game and Fish officer said they were in severe drought conditions now.

Pretty much the same story across much of the west this year unfortunately-- dry with fires. That will change the patterns of them in a hurry...

 

[JBucher]

I'm heading to MT next fall with a general tag for elk. I've been pouring over Excel sheets of harvest estimates, staring at OnX...all your standard items you can do to prepare from afar. Curious as to what the top things folks look for when picking a unit to start in- % successful, number of hunters, number of overall elk taken, etc.

Obviously its a combo of all these things but do some folks give priority of one over the other? I would be looking to kill any elk so i've been looking mainly at overall success % and number of hunters. And cross referencing the regs to see what the gen tag allows to be harvested. I have been looking at the sum of both NR and Res hunters.

Appreciate any tips/tricks- I'm just trying to pick a starting point to hunt next fall and gain some experience. I'm sure plenty others have gone down t his same road with planning from afar and not having any experience or knowing anyone with first hand experience.

I’m in this same boat. And had the same questions. This thread was helpful for sure. I’m going to try and extrapolate the way I’ve been able to find elk in Colorado and see what looks similar in Montana and hope I turn some elk up.